Teachers

Arboretum Music School instructors are trained professional educators, all of whom hold or are completing degrees in music. Every instructor has experience teaching all ages and abilities.

Kristie Lee Estervig (Owner/Piano)

Kristie Lee Estervig received Bachelor’s Degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Performance from University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and Master Degrees in Piano Pedagogy and Piano Performance from University of Wisconsin –Madison. Her past teachers have included Joyce Grill, Dr. Mary Tollefson, Martha Fischer, and Dr. Jessica Johnson. Kristie teaches all ages and levels. She has a wide range of teaching abilities that allows her to teach children as young as 4 years old, to teenagers preparing for competitions, students auditioning for colleges, and adults who want to learn piano for enjoyment.

Yanzhu Chen (Piano)

Melissa Dyer (Piano and Voice)

Andrew Estervig (Voice)

Andrew received his bachelors degree in Music Education from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. He was a finalist in the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition in 1998. Andrew has taught privately for 12 years. He is currently the choir director at Cardinal Heights Upper Middle School. Previously he was the choir director at Patrick Marsh Middle school in Sun Prairie. He has served as the choir director at the Sun Prairie United Methodist Church and has performed with the Madison Chamber Choir.

Aaron Gochberg (Drums)

Jake Hammer (Winds)

Renee Hegge (Piano)

Kai-Ju Ho (Clarinet and Piano)

Dena Johnson-Schlitz (Strings)

Dena recieved her undergrade and graduate degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Dena has been teaching at the school for over 5 years. She is currently a member of Restored, a Contemporary Christian Band.

Kevin Knapp (Guitar and Piano)

Lucas Koehler (Bass, Guitar, Piano)

Lori Lipsky (Piano, Voice)

Justin May (Guitar)

Justin is a new addition to the Arboretum Music School. Justin recieved his degree in applied arts from Madison College and has studied privately at UWM Peck School of the Arts. Justin has 16 years of performing experience including solo acoustic and several local bands.

Adam Pakalske (Piano, Guitar)

Adam has his BA in Music Business and Piano Performance from UW-Plattville. While is school he was the Head Studeion Engineer for the Pioneer Studio. He also promoted local music be hosting a local music school on WSUP (UW-Platville student radio). Many of his students and recording projects were fetured on the show. Adam has taught privatly for 10 years, 5 at the Arboretum Music School. He performs in numerous local Rock and Blues Bands throughout the area.

Mateja Schuck (Piano, Voice)

Mateja Schuck (Piano, Voice) Mateja recieved her BA in music from Santa Clara University, her Masters from UW-Madison, and is currently a Doctoral student at Madison. While at Santa Clara, Mateja performed with the chamber orchestra and sang Pamina in the Magic Flute and Monica in the Medium. She also sang with the Angeles Chorale in Los Angeles which can occasionally be heard in TV and Movie ads. Mateja can read in 12 languages and loves to teach, learn, and perform songs in foreign languages no often sung. She has taught for 5 years and is currently a member of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.